Five Big Players To Consider In Week 4

After last week recommending the big-bodied Armon Binns, I have started thinking differently about the size of my players and its translation to the red zone. When you see the opportunity that these big men get, specifically because of the size, you can’t help but see it as an advantage.

While the Cincinnati Bengals won’t have that kind of success against every team, there isn’t any reason why Binns can’t convert three or four targets into relevance per week. We shall just see if he continues seeing the targets and converting them going forward.

Many owners will roll their eyes because of the monster games that the feature guys get and argue that guys like Binns don’t matter. It depends solely on expectations and what you personally expect to get out of the player. Let’s take a look at this week and which guys can help you while your starters are on a bye week.

So these are tough shoes to fill this week. All three of these guys have had pretty solid starts to the season. You may not be able to get the same level of production from your bench. That’s OK to start a flex player and look for another player for that flex spot. Here are my recommendations as to who you should be looking to plug in as a flex. These players may still be available on your league’s waiver wire, so do yourself a favor and take a look.

After serving a three-game suspension for his off-the-field antics, Simpson is ready to suit up for the Vikings. The way that Christian Ponder played last week tells me that it may be in your best interest to consider him. Simpson has freakish talent and it’s going to be hard enough to cover Percy Harvin opposite him. This week he’s against a Detroit Lions team that ranks 20th against receivers. There may be a little rust, but trust me when I tell you that Simpson’s hands are solid and he has unbelievable body control. I drafted him in three leagues despite the fact that he was going to sit the pine due to suspension. This is one of those nice surprises that my competitors scoffed at on draft day. At 6-foot-2, he is the smallest of my recommendations this week.

So I spent enough time telling you why I like the big-bodied receivers. Barden is a massive target at 6-foot-6 inches, which is enough reason for me. Combine that with the number of targets (10 last week) and the health of Hakeem Nicks (foot), who is practicing one day a week. I see a solid WR3 with upside as Nicks is fragile. Foot injuries are nagging, and a NFL receiver needs to be able to cut and run precise routes. Even if Nicks plays, Barden is the third receiver. I like his size towards the red zone. Philadelphia is very tough against the tight end this week, but only mid-pack against receivers. Some success can be had by plugging in Barden as a flex this week. Eli Manning and Barden had some serious chemistry last week converting 9-of-10 targets.

Walter is often the forgotten man in the potent Texans offense. We hear from him some weeks and other times he disappears. He is engrained as the No. 2 receiver opposite Andre Johnson. This week he’s against a Titans team who ranks 30th against receivers and tight ends. Temper your expectations with this one because it could be anyone for the Texans this week in the end zone. My gut tells me that the game plan will revolve around stopping Arian Foster and Johnson. That being said, before you try to use a third or fourth receiver on a high-potent offense, you should consider Walter. He lulls you to sleep then he shows you he’s capable of the big play. He’s a high-risk play, but he’s an option that should be considered. Yeah, he has prototypical size at 6-foot-3 as well.

After showing that he is Christian Ponder’s favorite target last week in the red zone, Rudolph should be considered this week against a Detroit Lions defense that’s ranked 31st against tight ends this year. Throw in an added dimension with Jerome Simpson this week and you’ve got enough weapons to worry about. Rudolf should be involved this week. And, at 6-foot-6, Rudolph is hard to miss.

Myers has converted 100 percent of his targets to date (15) for 206 yards. Is there any wonder why he is a top play against a Denver defense that ranks 29th against tight ends? I expect that he is one of the lone bright spots thus far despite being on the fantasy graveyard team of years past. Low risk play this week. At 6-foot-4, he’s one of the smaller tight ends, but when you convert like this dude did, what’s a couple of inches?

So there you have my week four recommendations. Some of these guys will be out there for the taking, so do some research. Look at the injury reports and trust in the information that is available to you, mostly for free. Mine is at least just that – free. I look forward to your mail and do my very best to steer you in the right direction.

About Fantasy Sharks

FantasySharks.com began in 2003, disseminating fantasy football content on the web for free. It is, or has been, home to some of the most talented and best known fantasy writers on the planet. Owned and operated by Tony Holm (5 time Fantasy Sports Writer Association Hall-of-Fame nominee,) Tony started writing fantasy content in 1993 for the only three fantasy football web sites in existence at the time.